A study to determine the coping mechanisms of parents who have children with sickle cell disease at the university teaching hospital,Lusaka.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the coping mechanisms of parents who have children with sickle cell disease. The specific objectives were: to determine the level of coping by parents whose children have sickle cell disease; to identify socio-cultural factors that influences coping with sickle cell disease; to identify factors in the health service delivery system that influences coping; to make recommendations to all concerned parties regarding changes to be made in improving the emotional and psychological support given to the parents; and to work with all concerned parties in hospital in developing a plan for implementing the recommendations. The study was conducted at the sickle cell disease clinic of the University Teaching Hospital. Literature review was based on global, regional and national perspectives of the coping mechanisms of parents who have children with sickle cell disease; the knowledge attitude and practice of care givers of children with sickle cell disease and the effect of sickle cell disease on the life of a sickler. The results from this study revealed that, parents use mainly long term coping mechanisms to cope with sickle cell disease in their families, which include seeking help from medical personnel (78%), praying to God for either healing or strength (20%) and giving medication (2%).